Eight States Lack Holocaust Education Requirements

July 14, 2026 - 19:17

A new report from the Government Accountability Office has found that eight states across the United States still do not require Holocaust education in their K-12 public schools. The findings highlight significant gaps in how American students learn about one of the most documented genocides in modern history.

The GAO analysis reviewed state laws, standards, and curriculum guidelines. It identified that while 42 states have some form of Holocaust education requirement, the remaining eight have no mandate at all. Those states are Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Mississippi. The report also noted that even among states with requirements, the depth and consistency of instruction vary widely. Some states mandate teaching the Holocaust only in certain grade levels, while others leave it as an optional topic for individual school districts.

Advocates for Holocaust education argue that these mandates are crucial for combating rising antisemitism and historical ignorance. A 2020 survey by the Claims Conference found that nearly two-thirds of young American adults did not know that six million Jews were killed during the Holocaust. The GAO report did not make specific policy recommendations but provided data for lawmakers to consider. It also pointed out that several states have recently passed new laws strengthening Holocaust education, including adding survivor testimony and primary source materials to the curriculum. The eight states without mandates now face growing pressure from educators and community groups to address the gap.